Method for electropneumatic conversion

Abstract

In a closed discharge chamber wherein a discharge electrode supported on an electric insulating material and an opposite electrode are arranged to confront each other, a high electric potential applied between said electrodes causes corona discharge to occur in the gas between the two electrodes. A method for control of pure fluid elements, fluid servomechanisms, etc. is disclosed which is accomplished by utilizing a phenomenon that the pressure of the gas within the closed discharge chamber increases in consequence of the occurrence of corona discharge and the increased pressure falls with the subsequent extinction of corona discharge back to the level existing before said corona discharge.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for electropneumatic conversion which comprises in combination, a discharge electrode supported by an electric insulating material, an opposite electrode disposed to confront said discharge electrode, said electric insulating material and opposite electrodes forming a discharge chamber, a gas disposed in said chamber, means for applying a high electric potential between said discharge electrode and said opposite electrode, pin hole means disposed for communicating said gas in the discharge chamber and the ambient air. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said discharge electrode is tubular, one end thereof extending into the ambient air, and a pin hole disposed in the portion of the electrode inside said discharge chamber whereby the interior of said discharge chamber is communicated with the ambient air via the hollow interior of said tube. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 having means for communicating the interior of said discharge chamber with a signal inlet of pure fluid element. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 having means for controlling a fluid servomechanism.